Signor Blitz
Signor Blitz was a British magician and performer.
Career as a magician
van Zandt started performing at the age of thirteen in Hamburg, Germany, billed as Signor Blitz. After traveling for two years in northern Europe, he returned to England, appearing first in Dover in December 1825. He then visited Ireland and Scotland. In 1834, he went to the United States, and, after performing in New York City, traveled throughout that country. Later he visited Canada and the West Indies. On his return from the south he settled in Philadelphia, where he resided until his death.One of Signor Blitz's best-known performances was a trick in which a loaded gun was pointed at him and he would catch the bullet in his hands. However, he stopped showing it because of the risky nature of the trick. He also combined ventriloquism during his long show making quips with his dummy as well as making sound effects.